Four Nautique athletes take home titles at the 2016 Nautique U.S. Open

Orlando, FLA (October 3, 2016) – The 2016 Nautique U.S. Open of Water Skiing presented by Roger Dean Chevrolet saw the world’s best athletes in slalom, trick, and jump put everything on the line behind the record-breaking Ski Nautique 200 this past weekend at the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. Great water conditions set the stage for big scores with four Nautique athletes taking home U.S. Open titles followed by the conclusion of the 2016 Nautique Big Dawg World Tour Championships.

In Women’s Tricks, Anna Gay (USA) came off of her world-record setting performance behind the Ski Nautique 200 early last week to win her second consecutive U.S. Open title scoring 10,350 points. Neilly Ross (CAN) placed second with 9,740 points and Natallia Berdnikava (BLR) rounded out the podium in third with a score of 9,520 points. In Men’s Tricks, Nautique athlete and world-record holder Aliaksei Zharnasek (BLR) skied flawlessly behind the 200 to defend his U.S. Open title scoring 11,620 points. Frank Desboyaux (FRA) came in second with 11,450 points and Nautique’s Josh Briant (AUS) took third with 11,140 points.

For the first time ever in a Women’s Slalom event, three athletes ran full 39-off passes behind the record-breaking Ski Nautique 200 in an intense final round. Team Nautique skier Whitney McClintock (CAN) took the win with an amazing performance running 2@41-off. Regina Jaquess (USA) placed second with 1.25@41-off and Manon Costard (FRA) ran 0.5@41-off finishing third. The bar was set high from the first skier on the water in the Men’s Slalom final putting pressure on the entire field. Adam Sedlmajer (CZE) took the title running 3@41-off just ahead of Nautique athlete Nate Smith (USA) who returned to action this weekend with a score of 2.5@41-off to finish second in the final. Martin Bartalsky (SVK) rounded out the Men’s podium in third scoring 2@41-off.

World-record holder and Nautique athlete Jacinta Carroll (AUS) recorded her 30th career win today jumping 177ft (54.1m) behind the Ski Nautique 200. Alex Laurentano (USA) placed second with a distance of 173ft (52.8m) and team Nautique athlete Natallia Berdnikava (BLR) flew to 171ft (52.8m) to place third. With a beautiful sunset backdrop the Men’s Jump rounded out the action as the 200 powered Nautique athlete Ryan Dodd (CAN) off the ramp for a winning distance of 227ft (69.1m). Bojan Schipner (GER) took second with a jump of 218ft (66.5m) and Nautique’s Scot Ellis (USA) placed third going 216ft (65.9m).

Greg Badal (USA) clinched the 2016 Nautique Big Dawg World Tour title under the lights followed by Jeremy Newby-Ricci (GBR) in second and Frederic Halt (SUI) in third.

“It is amazing to come back to the Nautique U.S. Open each year to celebrate three-event skiing along with the entire waterski community,” said Nautique President, Greg Meloon. “Combining it with the final stop of the Big Dawg World Tour finals once again made for a day of nonstop action behind the Ski Nautique 200. Congratulations to all of the competitors and thank you to all of the sponsors and people who worked to make it happen.”

For more information regarding U.S. Open of Water Skiing visit nautique.com. To learn more about the Nautique Big Dawg World Tour please visit nautiquebigdawg.com.